CVE-2021-32823 describes a potential denial-of-service vulnerability in the bindata RubyGem, affecting versions prior to 2.4.10. This vulnerability allows for slow creation of certain classes in BinData, potentially leading to CPU-based denial of service. Given its low severity rating, organizations must still address this vulnerability to maintain service availability.
The CVSS score of 3.7 categorizes this vulnerability as low severity, yet it poses a risk to organizations using affected versions if exploited. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is high, meaning that successfully exploiting this vulnerability may require significant effort.
Organizations using the bindata RubyGem should take notice of this vulnerability and prioritize remediation, especially those in environments where performance is critical. Patching to version 2.4.10 or later will mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability.
Currently, there are no known exploits for this vulnerability, but organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any changes regarding exploitation status.
Vulnerability Details
In the bindata RubyGem before version 2.4.10 there is a potential denial-of-service vulnerability. In affected versions it is very slow for certain classes in BinData to be created, such as BinData::Bit100000, BinData::Bit100001, and BinData::Bit<N>. In combination with <user_input>.constantize, there is a potential for a CPU-based DoS. Version 2.4.10 of bindata improved the creation time of Bits and Integers.
The CVSS score is 3.7, classified as low severity, with an availability impact rated as low. The attack vector is network-based with high complexity and requires no privileges or user interaction.
The vulnerability is characterized under CWE-400, indicating it is a resource exhaustion issue.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inefficient creation process for specific classes in the bindata RubyGem. When these classes are instantiated, they demand excessive CPU resources, leading to performance degradation. The attack vector being network-based implies that an attacker could exploit this vulnerability remotely.
The attack complexity is considered high due to the nature of the vulnerability, requiring specific conditions to trigger the denial-of-service effect. Importantly, no privileges are required for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is not necessary.
The impacts on confidentiality and integrity are rated as none, while availability is rated as low, reflecting the potential for service interruption without compromising data security.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk of CVE-2021-32823 is primarily linked to environments relying on the bindata RubyGem for critical application functions. Organizations must recognize that even a low-severity vulnerability can have far-reaching consequences if exploited in production systems.
The potential blast radius includes any application relying on bindata for data handling. Organizations must assess their dependency on this library and consider the implications of performance degradation on their services.
Given the low CVSS score, organizations are advised to schedule remediation as part of their regular maintenance. However, those in high-availability environments may wish to prioritize patching immediately to avoid potential service interruptions.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of bindata and GitLab are affected by this vulnerability: - bindata versions prior to 2.4.10 - GitLab community and enterprise editions from version 12.0 up to but not including 13.10.5 and from 13.11.0 to 13.11.5, and from 13.12.0 to 13.12.2.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching to version 2.4.10 or later of the bindata RubyGem to mitigate this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing configuration hardening and network controls to minimize exposure.
Monitoring for any unusual CPU usage patterns could help in detecting potential abuse of the vulnerability. Regularly reviewing dependencies and their respective security advisories can also aid in maintaining robust application security.
For further assistance, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing services to identify any similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of abnormal CPU usage that could signify exploitation attempts. Behavioral anomalies and unusual patterns of resource consumption should also be flagged for further investigation.
Network signatures associated with the bindata RubyGem should be reviewed, and any unauthorized changes to the application environment should be monitored closely.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The low EPSS score of 0.004 indicates that the likelihood of exploitation is minimal. However, security teams should remain aware of this vulnerability as it represents a trend toward resource exhaustion vulnerabilities in software libraries.
As organizations increasingly rely on open-source components, it is crucial to have a robust vulnerability management program in place. Regular updates, monitoring, and engaging with vulnerability management best practices can help mitigate risks associated with third-party dependencies.
This vulnerability also serves as a reminder to conduct thorough security assessments, including penetration testing methodologies, which can uncover similar vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
In conclusion, while CVE-2021-32823 is currently classified as low severity, the potential service disruption it can cause warrants attention. Organizations should remain proactive in their security posture to protect against evolving threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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